Championship midfielder attracting interest amid links with Chelsea and Liverpool

Liverpool face Brighton and Hove Albion in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday, just two weeks after they lost 3-0 to The Seagulls in the Premier League. 

Jurgen Klopp’s side have struggled so far this season and currently sit ninth in the Premier League table, three places below their opponents.

Last time out, The Reds were held to a goalless draw by Chelsea at Anfield, a result that didn’t really help either side.

Now, both Chelsea and Liverpool are being linked with a surprise move for a Championship midfielder, and the player’s manager has confirmed that he has attracted interest.

As reported by TalkSPORT, Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom has confirmed that the club have received interest in midfielder Sander Berge.

Speaking ahead of The Blades’ FA Cup tie against non-league Wrexham, Heckingbottom admitted that there has been interest in Berge but stressed that they have not yet received any official offers.

“I think there’s been interest, and there always is,” he said.

“You start to hear it before windows and things like that, but there have been no bids,” he added.

Berge has attracted interest from a number of clubs

“All I can do is stress the same things. With the position we’ve got ourselves in, I don’t want anyone to leave. The landscape’s changed with where we are and what we’ve got.

“But from my point of view, if we’re embargoed, it’s even more important they don’t leave. My stance on that won’t change.”

The Blades have been hit with an embargo preventing them from signing anyone this month, which will likely make those in charge of the club even more reluctant to let Berge leave.

Berge, 24, arrived in Sheffield in 2020 from Belgian side Genk, initially joining The Blades while they were in the top flight.

He made 29 appearances in the Premier League, and has so far played 89 times for the club across all competitions.

The midfielder, a Norway international, has been one of the most impressive players in the Championship this season, scoring four goals and providing three assists.

The Norwegian has less than 18 months remaining on his current deal at Bramall Lane, which could tempt United into selling the player either this month or in the summer.

Chelsea are in need of midfield reinforcements with both Jorginho and N’Golo Kante set to be out of contract this summer, while Liverpool find themselves in a similar position as Naby Keita is also set to leave Anfield at the end of the season.